Differences between prerendered and real-time animation.

This is a discussion on Differences between prerendered and real-time animation. within the Tech Board forums, part of the Community Boards category; Heh, here is a question that should be way below me, but the truth is, I just can't really sit ...

Differences between prerendered and real-time animation.

Heh, here is a question that should be way below me, but the truth is, I just can't really sit down and research it. I can see the difference between prerendered and real-time if you showed them both to me, but I just don't get the logic of why real-time rendering is so superior. I know there are plenty of people, like Bubba, that could give a detailed explanation on this. So, who's willing to give me an idea of how prerendering and real-time rendering works and why one is better than the other?

Smaller file? The only other reason it could be superior is because it was probably done with some easy to use engine any end-user could use. As far as quality, prerendered is, with current technology, always better.